Commencement 2023 Celebrates Accomplishment and Perseverance

  • Group of graduates in black caps and gown standing with their phones poised for photos.

    Looking good, Matadors! A group of new grads cheer and celebrate at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremonies on May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A group of students take a group shot during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony.

    A group of students take a group shot during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A group of students hold their diplomas during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023.

    A group of students hold their diplomas during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A student celebrates with a peace sign during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023.

    A student celebrates during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A student celebrates during the second CSUN College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023.

    A student celebrates during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A student carries a diploma during the second commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development on May 21, 2023.

    A student carries a diploma during the second commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • Charles Yu speaks at the CSUN Health and Human Development Commencement ceremony.

    Author and screenwriter Charles Yu received an honorary doctorate of fine arts during the second commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A mother and father stand on either side of their son, who is holding a graduation teddy bear and a red rose, in front of the University Library.

    A proud family celebrates their Matador's accomplishments, at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A beaming Mom, dressed in a red sweater and red hat, stands next to her son, who is wearing a white graduation sash and Honors medal.

    A proud Matador Mom celebrates her son's accomplishments, at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A graduate grins and holds a red rose between her teeth, and stands in front of a banner that reads: Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication.

    A proud grad of CSUN's Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication celebrates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A graduate throws a red rose up toward the Matador Statue.

    Following the "Tradition of the Rose," a graduate tosses a red rose on CSUN's Matador Statue, at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • AS President Shayan Moshtael, in black robe, hood and honors cords, stands in front of a Matador mural in the University Library.

    Associated Students President and graduating senior Shayan Moshtael gets ready to celebrate at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • William Watkins, dean of students and vice president for Student Affairs, stands at a podium and speaks into a microphone.

    CSUN’s Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, William Watkins, addresses graduates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • Provost Meera Komarraju, in cap and gown, stands behind a podium and speaks into the microphone.

    CSUN’s new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Meera Komarraju, addresses graduates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • Graduating master's student Shanelle Wikramanayake, in a blue-and-purple sari, holds an award certificate, standing between two faculty members.

    Shanelle Wikramanayake (center), who completed her master's in biology, accepts the 2023 Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student, on May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • Wolfson Scholar Award winner Natalie Castillo holds her certificate, while deans and faculty members stand next to her on stage and applaud.

    Natalie Castillo, a double major in biology and in Central American studies, accepts the Wolfson Scholar Award -- the top honor given to a graduating senior -- at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • Two graduates, wearing honors medals, hug and smile. Sierra Tower is in the background.

    Proud graduates celebrate their accomplishments, at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A mom and graduate holds one of her sons, and hugs the other, on the University Library lawn.

    A proud Mom and graduate celebrates with her sons, at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A group of graduates stand on the University Library lawn, at Honors Convocation.

    Proud graduates and one of their professors celebrate their accomplishments, at CSUN's Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • Rudy Ortega Jr. (at podium) and his family members perform a tribal welcome and blessing at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremonies, May 21, 2023. CSUN conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Ortega during the ceremony. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Student in cap and gown on stage, raises both arms in triumph, holding his diploma cover.

    Success! A new graduate raises his arms in triumph as he crosses the stage at the commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Student in cap and gown exchanges fist bump with CSUN President Erika D. Beck on commencement stage

    A brand-new graduate is all smiles as he receives a celebratory fist bump on stage from CSUN President Erika D. Beck, at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development ceremonies on May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Rudy Ortega Jr. (third from left) listens to the speakers on the platform with (from left) CSUN President Erika D. Beck, Chief of Staff to the President Genevieve Evans Taylor, and College of Humanities Dean Jeffrey Reader. Ortega received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development ceremony, May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A group of five graduates in cap and gown pose in front of a sign that says Cinema and Television Arts.

    Showing some pride! Graduates from the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication pose together during their commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Milt Valera wearing academic regalia stands at podium

    Milt Valera '68 (Journalism), CEO of the National Notary Association, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Smiling graduates in caps and gowns give the peace sign for the camera

    Some happy graduates smile for the camera at the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Graduate in cap and gown smiles with the sun on her face

    Graduation day for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication, May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A line of graduates in caps and gowns greet each other.

    Cheers and fist-bumps! Graduates celebrate at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Two smiling graduates in caps and gowns

    Graduates celebrate their achievements at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A graduate smiles for the camera

    A graduate celebrates at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • A graduate in cap and gown smiles as she holds her diploma cover

    A newly minted graduate is all smiles as she celebrates at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • Dog wearing tiny mortarboard with a sash

    A graduate and their four-legged furry friend celebrate at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.

  • Two women in graduation robes and brightly colored sashes each hold up a fist in triumph and celebration

    Graduates celebrate their milestones at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.

  • A graduate in cap, and gown and colorful lei emerges up from the seated crowd to give a triumphant wave

    A brand-new graduate celebrates his moment at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Graduate in cap and gown, clutching her diploma cover waves from the crowd

    A brand-new graduate celebrates and waves to her loved ones at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A group of students and professors in academic regalia stand together and pose for the camera

    Members of the Class of 2023 celebrate with their professors at the commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A mortarboard is decorated with pink flowers along with an old-time black and white photograph of a man and woman

    Sometimes the caps and mortarboards say it all at CSUN commencement, as this College of Science and Mathematics grad shows with hers, paying tribute to her family and roots, on May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Students in caps and gowns line up with fists out for fist bumps

    Newly minted graduates of the College of Science and Mathematics get well-deserved fist bumps from faculty after crossing the stage at CSUN commencement, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Two women hug, woman facing camera holds out diploma cover

    Time for joyous hugs with friends at Commencement 2023! Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Eden Shashoua in cap and gown stands at the podium on the commencement stage

    Eden Shashoua, vice president for Associated Students was a speaker at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Diana Vicente, in cap and gown and white sash, holds her arms out wide as she crosses the commencement stage.

    Ready for that diploma! Diana Vicente, former Associated Students president (2019-2020) crosses the stage at commencement for the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Two grads in cap and gown show their diploma covers

    Show off that degree! Graduates celebrate at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony, May 22, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Graduates in caps and gowns and colorful leis cheer in the audience

    Celebrate! Graduates cheer at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

Eight ceremonies over five days highlight more than 11,000 CSUN graduates

Commencement season at CSUN kicked off May 13 with Honors Convocation and continued with seven colorful and joyful ceremonies from May 19-22. Graduates, many of them sporting elaborately decorated mortarboards and vibrant flower leis, marched to their seats on the University Library lawn to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” (performed by the CSUN Jazz A Band), while loved ones cheered from the stands.

While waiting for the College of Engineering and Computer Science ceremony to begin, Alessia Marquez, graduating with her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, stood in line with her service dog, Kylo. The duo wore matching mortarboards and were ready to celebrate, as Marquez reflected on her time at CSUN.

“I’ve grown a lot these past five years, and CSUN has really become my home. I’ve kind of built my own little family.”

After the graduates took their seats, CSUN administrators and college deans processed to the stage, led by CSUN President Erika D. Beck. The president wore her trademark sparkly red Converse tennis shoes, her “Commencement Chucks,” reserved especially for this time of year.

Beck recognized the particular accomplishments of the Class of 2023.

“Arriving at this moment took years of dedication and commitment in the midst of a global pandemic, and challenges that none of us could have anticipated,” she said. “It may not have been the college experience that you imagined, but it is a success story because you made it so. You chose to act, to respond, to persevere, even when it was unimaginably hard.”

An estimated 11,253 students, including 9,215 undergraduates and 2,038 graduate students, were eligible to participate in graduation exercises this year.

They join CSUN’s global alumni network that is more than 400,000 strong. One out of every 20 people who hold an undergraduate degree across the country is a California State University graduate— 10% came from CSUN.

In addition to the proud graduates, the university awarded three honorary doctorates during the ceremonies. CSUN conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Rudy Ortega Jr., a familiar face on campus, as the community leader and tribal president of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the historic tribe of northern Los Angeles County.

Author and television writer Charles Yu received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, and Milt Valera ’68 (Journalism), CEO of the National Notary Association, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

After a couple of brief speeches, each graduate had the opportunity to cross the stage and hear their name read aloud — and receive a celebratory fist bump from President Beck.

“We believe in you, and we believe in the role that you will play in helping us achieve a brighter and more equitable future,” Beck said, “a future in which we hope you will always remember: ‘Once a Matador, always a Matador.’ “

Highlights from the seven commencement ceremonies and Honors Convocation can be viewed in the accompanying photos.

 

 

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,